Christopher Wray confirmed as new FBI director

James Comey’s replacement as FBI director has been confirmed as Christopher Wray.

The US Senate confirmed President Donald Trump’s nominee on Tuesday, three months after Comey was fired Axar.az reports.

The vote on Tuesday was 92-5 for Mr. Wray, a lawyer who is a former high-ranking official in President George W Bush’s justice department who oversaw investigations into corporate fraud.

He will take charge of the country’s top domestic law enforcement agency during a federal probe into allegations of collusion between the Trump presidential campaign and Russia.

Mr. Wray, 50, inherits the FBI at a particularly challenging time given that Mr. Comey was admired within the bureau.

Comey was fired by Trump in early May amid the investigation into Russia’s meddling in the 2016 presidential election and possible collusion with officials of the Trump campaign.

Wray vowed in his confirmation hearing last month to remain independent and not be swayed by politics or pressure from the president.

During the confirmation hearing, Republican Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley said Wray’s background showed he was committed to independence, an attribute he said was ‘vitally important’ in the next FBI director.